Hopson crowned Queen Mallard LVII

Ashley Hopson was crowned Queen Mallard LVII and Maraye Tudor, Junior Queen Mallard XXII. The two young ladies will now reign over the week’s festivities including the Great Duck Race, all of the duck calling contests and various events throughout the year.

The tradition continued Saturday as the Queen and Junior Queen Mallard pageants kicked off the Wings Over the Prairie Festival. Twenty-eight girls took the stage, competing in evening gown and onstage interviews, with two local girls coming out on top.

Ashley Hopson was crowned Queen Mallard LVII and Maraye Tudor, Junior Queen Mallard XXII. The two young ladies will now reign over the week’s festivities including the Great Duck Race, all of the duck calling contests and various events throughout the year.

The Junior contestants were narrowed down to the Elite 8. The others in that group were Marlee Brothers, Lacy Holzhauer and Jada Dunn.

“I was shocked and am very excited to see what is in store for me,” Tudor said.

Former Miss Arkansas Kristen Glover was Mistress of Ceremonies, with special performances and appearances from the current Miss Arkansas, Sloane Roberts. Also performing were Studio Allegro and CenterStage dance teams.

To get in the spirit of this year’s theme, “Ducks and Diamonds,” the festival’s mascot Mal R Duck performed with the dancers and attended the opening ribbon cutting ceremonies.

The festival continues Wednesday with the carnival and midway and the Youth Duck Calling Clinic featuring Butch Richenback at the Main Street Stage.